Premier League: Villas-Boas rails at critics as Rooney frustrates Spurs December 1, 2013 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 vs MANCHESTER UNITED 2 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas last night blasted his critics, including former Spurs chairman Lord Sugar, for a perceived lack of respect after his side were denied a first Premier League win since October. Spurs twice led, through full-back Kyle Walker’s free-kick and midfielder Sandro’s thunderbolt, but on both [...]
Sport Comment: Hail Frank McKeown, football’s true hero December 1, 2013 ON A weekend when Aaron Ramsey made headlines, the outstanding contribution to the sport was surely made by a player who probably no-one reading this article had ever heard of before this weekend. Frank McKeown is the captain of Stranraer in the Scottish third tier. On Saturday he played in a 1-1 draw against Clyde [...]
Sturridge-less Reds fall at Hull December 1, 2013 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted to harbouring fears over a lack of squad depth, after the Reds lost 3-1 at Hull. Rodgers’ team went into yesterday’s match without key striker Daniel Sturridge, who has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with an injury to his ankle. Goals from Jake Livermore and Steven [...]
Nasri double puts City third December 1, 2013 MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini is targeting maximum points from this week’s trips to West Brom and Southampton after climbing to third in the Premier League. Two goals from midfielder Samir Nasri and striker Alvaro Negredo’s 12th of the season saw off Swansea 3-0 yesterday as City continued their blistering home form. Their struggles have [...]
Harlequins rout hands Richards a grim reunion December 1, 2013 RUTHLESSNESS and patience were Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea’s watchwords yesterday after his side showed their killer instinct to seal a 35-9 bonus-point Aviva Premiership Rugby win at Newcastle. An early Tom Williams try, a double from fellow wing Sam Smith and scrum-half Danny Care’s cunning score gave Quins their fourth straight top-flight victory, moving them [...]
Formula One future muddled by prospect of Concorde talks delay December 1, 2013 THE BOSS of the company which controls Formula One has revealed that his investors are unhappy with the length of the commercial contracts with the sport’s 11 teams which expire at the end of 2020. It could signal an extension to the long-running negotiations with teams over the Concorde Agreement, the contract which commits them [...]
I’ve turned the corner, declares McIlroy, as he finally ends 2013 trophy drought December 1, 2013 FORMER world No1 Rory McIlroy believes he is over his year-long slump after claiming a first win of 2013 in dramatic fashion at the Australian Open yesterday. A birdie at the 18th saw the Northern Irishman overtake overnight leader and world No2 Adam Scott as the home favourite bogeyed the last. McIlroy’s final round of [...]
Root hungry to reignite Ashes battle with paceman Johnson December 1, 2013 BATSMAN Joe Root has urged England to take immediate charge of the second Ashes Test when it gets underway in Adelaide this week. The tourists find themselves in the unusual position of being on the back foot, following a 381-run defeat by Australia in Brisbane. “This match is massive and it’s a great opportunity to [...]
England injury woe deepens as Foden is ruled out for 12 weeks December 1, 2013 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster is facing further disruption to his Six Nations plans after Northampton back Ben Foden became the latest Test star to join the long-term injury list. The full-back, who filled in on the wing during the autumn internationals, has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury suffered last [...]
Wenger will have to rest Ramsey December 1, 2013 FOOTBALL: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he will have to rest star midfielder Aaron Ramsey during a hectic winter period in which the Gunners will play nine games over the next five weeks. “I have to treat him like all the players, give them a breather when they need it,” said Wenger after Saturday’s [...]